Dermatofibroma Risk and Prevention
Howard LeWine, M.D., is Chief Medical Editor at Harvard Health Publishing and an assistant professor at Harvard Medical School.
Question:
I just had a spot removed on my leg by a dermatologist. It was a dermatofibroma. What causes them? Do I need to avoid sun exposure?
Answer:
A dermatofibroma is a common noncancerous (benign) growth that often develops on the legs and arms. Dermatofibromas occur on women more often than men. They usually produce no symptoms, although a common complaint by women is that they nick these growths while shaving their legs.
The cause of these growths is unknown. Some people mention a history of mild trauma, such as a mosquito bite or an imbedded splinter. Dermatofibromas are not known to be inherited.
While these growths are not associated with sun exposure or skin cancer, there are other good reasons to limit sun exposure. It increases the risk of developing skin cancers such as basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma.
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